Research Inquiry Group Project Study done by the NCLC 203 Seminar F Class In correspondence with the Office of Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education

Where are the condoms that the OADHE provide going and how are they being used?

Is George Mason giving out the right amount of condoms? Who are these condoms going to? Are the preferred brands and types being distributed?

Hypotheses Incorrect use of condoms Condom hoarding Condoms being taken by unintended populations such as staff Lack of knowledge that these condoms are available

Theories on use/non-use Demographics Relationships Education Accessibility

Background Condom Information Prevent STI’s Prevent pregnancies Other contraceptives, i.e. birth control Types: Different colors Different sizes (magnum & snug) Specialties (flag colors) Different materials (non- latex)

Preconceived Notions Condoms are only needed for vaginal sex Using two condoms = better protection Coitus Interruptus is 100% effective If you stand while having intercourse, you won’t get pregnant **Demonstration**

Stakeholders  Students sexually active in the George Mason University community  GMU Office of Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education  All GMU students and parents paying tuition

Needs/Assets Organization  Office of Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education at GMU  Decisions about school-funded condoms Community  George Mason University  20,000 Undergrads  Ethnically, religiously, and culturally diverse

What is ‘OADHE’? Office of Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education  “Sexual Chocolate”  “Safe Spring Break” to educate students about the risks of unsafe sex, as well as preventative measures, in an entertaining way.

What is ‘OADHE’ Cont. Individual consultations for one-on-one assistance available on alcohol, drug or personal health issues.  connects them with the necessary resources and/or treatment. The OADHE provides and distribute various resources advocating student health  Brochures, Healthy Hook-Up Kits, Quit Kits for Smoking, lubricants, male and female condoms. Free to the Mason community Over 50,000 condoms are taken from the Student Health Services in a single semester.

Literature Review Reviewed scholarly sources to gain insight on previously found knowledge on our topic. Different types of survey and sampling methods such as internet surveys Qualitative and quantitative methods Learned importance in discerning relationship status in relation to condom use Demographics can play a role in condom use

Background Research: [ Mason Versus Other Universities] GMU hands out free condoms VCU, VT, ASU contacted ASU: only one that also hands out free condoms regularly  do not have events promoting sexual awareness VT and VCU both have discounted rates

Research Applied to Mason Passed out surveys  Set up kiosk in JC Analyzed advertisements and fliers around campus  Walked around campus  Spoke with Danielle  RA handbook  Sororities/fraternities Observed people taking surveys and condoms  Kiosk  OADHE  Condom basket

Survey: What Was Asked? Age, gender, ethnicity Sexual activity What ways condoms are used Why condoms would not be chosen for usage Amount of condoms taken/used Class (year in school) Housing situation Location lived before GMU If subject knows that condoms are available on campus

Content Analysis Conclusions Not much information available in plain sight to the community No guidelines for RA’s or RD’s on condoms Events are held concerning sexual awareness Greek organizations take sexual and alcohol education courses

Observation Conclusions Many people came with other people Seem to be uncomfortable when they felt like they were being watched Age was diverse Seem to go in the afternoon (between 1:00 and 5:00)

Final research data results from survey shown both quantitatively and qualitatively:  Pie Charts (majority)  Written Analysis

Relationship Ideas Condoms are used more in casual relationships, and as a relationship becomes more serious and exclusive, not using condoms is symbolic of fidelity and trust.; that the “known partner is the safe partner.” “Among students who had had multiple partners in the past year, those who had had partners of both sexes were more likely to have had an STD (16%) than were students who had had only male partners (9%) or only female partners (6%).”

Recommendations for OADHE More advertisements and information around campus More convenient locations for condom distribution should be established Preferred brands and types should be considered at a greater extent